New Middlesbrough signing Marten de Roon suffered an unfortunate hamstring injury in his competitive debut for the club today during their 1-1 draw with Stoke City.

With a busy schedule in the month ahead, Aitor Karanka could look to bolster his options before the transfer window slams shut at the end of August, and should consider a move for out-of-favour West Ham United midfielder Pedro Obiang.

The Spaniard moved to the Hammers last summer from Sampdoria for a fee believed to be in the region of £4.3 million, but failed to establish himself as a first-team regular at the club, making only 11 Premier League starts.

West Ham's Pedro Obiang in action with Everton's Ross Barkley

Obiang is a player who does the basics very well, and while he is not the most competent player going forward, he is extremely proficient at sitting in front of the back four and disrupting any kind of attack from the opposition.

With the wealth of midfield talent at West Ham boss Slaven Bilic's disposal, it will be hard for Obiang to make an impact on the first team again this season, so a move away from the club could suit all parties concerned.

The transfer fee required to prise him away from the Hammers would surely not be too substantial, with him being so far down the pecking order at the East London outfit.

West Ham's Pedro Obiang

Although the length of time De Roon will be out injured for is yet to be determined, another body in midfield to compete with the likes of Adam Clayton and Grant Leadbitter could only be a good thing.

Obiang is at an age where he has both the time and scope to improve, and could still prove to be a top-level player.

The Premier League is arguably the toughest league in the world, and despite the Championship's level of competition, it is still a huge jump up in class and intensity, and the more quality players Boro manage to add to their squad before August 31st, the better.